Four candidates advance for Belknap House 5 seats

ALTON — The Belknap County State Representative primary race for District 5 was uncontested, with two people being elected from each side of the ballot.

On the Democratic side, Deborah F. Chase and Jean M. Henry, both of Gilmanton, ran, with Chase taking 158 votes in Alton and Henry taking 139. In Gilmanton, Chase took 229 votes with Henry taking 92.

Chase could not be reached for comment previously and Henry has not returned numerous phone calls.

On the Republican side, Richard "Dick" Burchell, of Gilmanton, and Stephen Holmes, of Alton, ran, with Holmes receiving 566 votes in Alton, compared to Burchell's 372, and Burchell taking 280 in Gilmanton, compared to Holmes' 187.

Holmes, 59, is a self-employed in home repair and remodeling and considers himself to be extremely conservative when it comes to his views on social and fiscal issues. He previously told Foster's the largest issues he sees for the upcoming election are "jobs and the economy" and he seeks to be a "conservative influence" if elected."

Burchell declined to comment when contacted by Foster's the night of the primary election.